Measures to Take If You Get Sick While Traveling

(Photo : pixabay)

Getting sick while traveling is one of the most uncomfortable and, sometimes, scary things that can happen to anyone, albeit not as scary as when you have to rely on an IVA scheme to get you out of debt. Although some illnesses require a quick trip to the doctor, or some antibiotics and anti-parasite medications, other diseases may be quite severe.

This may be aggravated by the fact that you are far away from home, and you may become miserable. Being in a new environment may expose you to deadly and contagious germs, and any symptom of disease should never be ignored. Use the following measures to ensure that you do not feel better if you get sick while on a journey. 

Prepare Yourself Before Leaving Home 

Before leaving home for the journey, it is good to be well prepared, especially if you're traveling to a foreign country. And one of the best preparations you can make is an insurance cover. Just as it is crucial to get free IVA advice when you have debt issues, it is also advisable to get an insurance cover while traveling. The essence of this is to ensure that you are covered in the event of an unforeseen circumstance, such as falling sick. Confirm with your insurance provider to know if you are covered while traveling abroad, and ask them for any advice on medical care while traveling. If you do not have a cover, consider purchasing a short-term insurance policy specifically designed to cover travel, which will cover you. Carry with you your health insurance identification and claim form. Ensure that the information that you give in your passport is complete. Give details of a contact person in case of an emergency. Provide the name, address and telephone number of the contact person for easy communication. 

In case you have a pre-existing condition, let your primary healthcare giver give you a letter describing the condition and medication you are taking. Label any medicine containers clearly and remember that some medicines are considered illegal in some foreign countries, so, check with your embassy. 

Getting Special Care If You Become Sick While Travelling 

The most important thing to do while traveling is to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcohol. Alcohol will suppress your immunity and prevent a quick recovery. 

If you get a cold or flu, take a lot of rest as it helps in the healing of your body. Take a warm bath, drink hot tea and take a nap to help clear your sinuses and soothe your sore throat. 

If, after relaxation, you are still not feeling better, ask the hotel or resort staff where you are staying to get you a doctor. Most of them usually have a doctor who can attend to minor ailments and can give you medication to help you feel better. If your aliment severe, go to the emergency room immediately or ask to be taken there for better care. 

Getting sick while traveling means that you may not be able to prepare your own food or order for your favorite delivery. Avoid raw and dairy foods and order things like plain rice or pasta from room service. 

If you get severely sick while traveling, the first thing to do is to contact the nearest embassy or consulate to get a list of healthcare providers and medical facilities. The consular officials can help you find medical assistance, inform your family and friends, and if necessary, help you to transfer funds from family. Remember that paying the hospital and medical expenses are your responsibility while traveling. 

How To Stay Healthy While Traveling 

The best way to prevent yourself from getting sick while traveling is to take the necessary precautions. Take the outlined precautionary measures to ensure that you are on the safe side. 

Food

  • If you are restricted from certain foods, carry translation cards to help you eat safely and avoid

contamination and adverse food reactions. 

  • Carry sterile syringes. They are cheap and take very little room and come quite in handy if the hospital has run out of them.
  • Be very careful while eating street food. Although it is a great way to explore local cuisine and culture and interact with the locals, it can be a source of deadly contamination. Choose streets that many locals frequent and ensure that the food is thoroughly cooked.

Hygiene 

A small bottle of hand sanitizer is essential throughout the course of your journey. Airplane trays and seats are one of the dirtiest things out there! It's crucial to give them a good wipedown before touching. You'll also want to keep your hands clean throughout the journey as you touch new germy spaces. 

Relax 

Mental health and physical health go hand in hand. I've talked about travel burnout before and it's a very real thing, even for those who don't travel full-time. Treat yourself well on the road. Plan time to decompress, relax, and recuperate. Travel is about enjoying yourself, not ticking things off of a to-do list.